‘Ratings creep’ found prevalent
Violence, sex and profanity in movies increased significantly between 1992 and 2003, while ratings became more lenient, according to a new Harvard study.
Research by the Kids Risk Project at the Harvard School of Public Health found a “ratings creep” for movies, and suggested that the Motion Picture Assn. of America was relaxing standards in rating films.
The study, released this week, suggested that films rated PG and PG-13 had become more violent; that there was more sexual content in PG, PG-13, and R films; and more profanity was used in films rated PG-13 and R.
“It’s time for a significant research effort to explore the development and creation of a universal media rating system,” Kimberly Thompson, the associate professor who directs the Kids Risk Project, said in a statement.
From Associated Press
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